W 8X28 vs H-200x200x6.5x10
W 8X28 is an W section from the American AISC Shapes Database; H-200x200x6.5x10 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. W 8X28 carries more bending: 445.73 cm³ of plastic modulus against 433 cm³, 2.9% more. They weigh essentially the same, 41.7 kg/m and 41.4 kg/m. W 8X28 is deeper, 204.7 mm against 196 mm, which matters where the floor zone is tight.
| Property | W 8X28 W | H-200x200x6.5x10 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 41.7 kg/m | 41.4 kg/m | +0.7% |
| Depth | 204.7 mm | 196 mm | +4.4% |
| Width | 166.1 mm | 199 mm | -16.5% |
| Web thickness | 7.2 mm | 6.5 mm | +10.8% |
| Flange thickness | 11.8 mm | 10 mm | +18.0% |
| Area | 53.2 cm² | 52.7 cm² | +0.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 4,079 cm⁴ | 3,846 cm⁴ | +6.1% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 445.73 cm³ | 433 cm³ | +2.9% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 398.21 cm³ | 392 cm³ | +1.6% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 903.2 cm⁴ | 1,315 cm⁴ | -31.3% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 165.51 cm³ | 201 cm³ | -17.7% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 4.11 cm | 5 cm | -17.8% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 22.35 cm⁴ | 17.6 cm⁴ | +27.0% |
W 8X28 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; H-200x200x6.5x10 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-200x200x6.5x10.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, W 8X28 has the larger second moment of area: 4,079 cm⁴ against 3,846 cm⁴, a difference of 6.1%. This matters more often than the strength comparison, because on normal floor spans deflection rather than bending capacity sets the beam size - so if the two are close on modulus but apart on inertia, the stiffer one is usually the better answer even when it is not the stronger one.
Measured as bending capacity per kilogram of steel, W 8X28 is the more efficient section: 10.7 against 10.5 cm³ per kg/m, 2.2% better. Over a floor of repeated beams that difference is real tonnage, though it is often outweighed by whichever section the fabricator can actually source.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: H-200x200x6.5x10 has 201 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 165.51 cm³, 17.7% more. If the member sees any minor-axis bending, or if it is unrestrained over a long length and lateral-torsional buckling governs, that gap decides the comparison even though the major-axis numbers looked equivalent.
These come from different catalogues, so treat the swap as a design change rather than a like-for-like substitution. W sections are specified to AISC Shapes Database v16.0 and MB & MC to Continental Steel; the steel grades, tolerances and available lengths differ, connection details and bolt gauges are set out differently, and the two are rarely both stocked in the same market. Check availability before changing a section on a drawing to save a marginal amount of weight.
In short, W 8X28 is the stronger section and H-200x200x6.5x10 is the lighter one; where those are the same section, it is the clear choice, and where they are not, decide on whether your design is governed by capacity or by tonnage.